Dispensing container



R. D. BACON ETAL 3,377,003

DISPENSING CONTAINER April 9, 1968 3 Sheets$heet 1 Filed Jan. 4, 1967 l I I 3 INVENTORS ROBERT D. BACON HERMAN R. MARKERT I BY- ATTORNEY APPil 1968 I R. D. BACON ETAL 3,377,003

DISPENSING CONTAINER Filed Jan. 4, 1967 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 F/G. 4 I F7619 INVENTORS ROBERT D. BACON HERMAN R. MARKERT ATTORNEY April 1968 R. D. BACON ETAL 3,377,003

DISPENSING CONTAINER 5 Sheets-Sheet Filed Jan. 4, 1967 W MM Y O E E K N R R E A O WTM w 1 R A EN m 7 O E H United States Patent 3,377,903 DISPENSING CONTAINER Robert 1). Bacon, Maitland, Fla., and Herman R. Marker-t, Hartsville, S.C., assignors to Sonoco Products Company, Hartsville, S.C., a corporation of South Carolina Filed Jan. 4, 1967, Ser. No. 607,283 4 Claims. (Cl. 222386) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A container having a spring-pressed piston slidable therein with means associated with the piston and the container bottom end wall to lock the spring in a compressed condition.

This invention relates to dispensing containers and more particularly to such containers having a self-contained pressure supply for pressure-feed of its contents.

One type of container in common use today is a sealed container having a manually operated dispensing valve and which contains a product and a gas under pressure for pressure dispensing the product through the dispensing valve when it is opened. The pressurized gas or propellan-t is generally mixed with the product within the container although some containers are provided with a freely movable piston which is loaded against the packaged product by means such as 'a pressurized gas.

The use of a pressurized gas within such containers, frequently referred to as aerosol containers, has certain limitations. For instance, it is not uncommon for the pressurized gas to escape before the container contents are exhausted. In addition, while such containers are suitable for relatively light products or material such as shaving cream, whipped cream and the like, material such as toothpaste, peanut butter, cheese, etc., are ditficult to dispense with pressurized gas. Furthermore, there is al- Ways the explosion hazard when such pressurized dispensing containers are subjected to heat.

In the type of container utilizing a freely movable piston, it has been proposed to utilize spring means such as a coil spring rather than a pressurized gas which spring engages one side of the piston to load the piston against the product in the container on the other side of the piston. Thus, a relatively strong spring can be used to develop the needed pressure on the container contents for dispensing viscous materials and the explosion hazard attendant with the use of a pressurized gas is eliminated.

However, the filling of such spring-pressurized containers with the product is diflicult to accomplish unless expensive filling machinery is utilized as it is necessary to move the piston so as to compress the coil spring to permit the container to be filled. When relatively heavy springs are employed, this pressure to be overcome during loading is substantial and although the use of expensive and complicated pressure loading apparatus for the product is generally adequate, the use of a relatively heavy coil spring imposes a considerable burden on the container loading apparatus.

Another problem which is common to both those dispensing containers utilizing a pressurized gas as well as those employing a spring loaded piston is the continuous pressure applied to the product subsequent to the filling oi the container up until utilization by the consumer. Maintaining the packaged product under pressure for a prolonged period particularly where there is rough handling not only promotes leakage of either the gas or product or both but invites tampering before purchase of the container with attendant reduction in the commercial value of the goods.

Accordingly, a primary object of this invention is to provide a new and novel pressurized dispensing container..

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and novel pressurized dispensing container which eliminates the use of a pressurized fluid.

A further object of this invention is to provide a new and novel pressurized dispensing container of the spring loaded piston type which may be easily filled with a material and which maintains the material in an unpressurize'd condition until the time of use.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a new and novel pressurized dispensing container which not only is suitable for the packaging of relatively light materials but is easily and simply filled with relatively viscous material and which permits the dispensing of such viscous products evenly and completely.

This invention further contemplates the provision of a new and novel pressurized dispensing container in which the packaged product may be simply and easily placed in a pressurized state by the consumer at the time of use.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

The objects stated above and other related objects of this invention are accomplished by the provision of an improvement on a dispensing container having a top end wall and a bottom end wall with a dispensing nozzle in the top end wall. A piston is slid'atbly positioned Within the interior of the container in sealing relationship with the container inner wall. A spring is positioned in the container interior between the piston and the container bottom end wall which spring is movable by the piston into a compressed condition. The improvement of the invention comprises a locking member connected to the piston adjacent the spring which locking member is provided with releasable means for locking the looking member to the container bottom end wall when the spring has been moved into the compressed condition by the piston to permit a material in an unpressurized state to be introduced into the interior of the container between the piston and the container top end wall. The locking means are releasable from the exterior of the container to permit the spring to expand and move the piston into pressurizing engagement with the material for pressure dispensing of the material through the dispensing nozzle.

The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself,'however, both as to its organization and operation may be best understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a sectional view of a container constructed in accordance with the invention with the packaged material in an unpressurized condition;

FIGURE 2 is an elevation view, partially in section, of the container of FIGURE 1 showing the packaged material in a pressurized condition;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of the container of FIGURE 1 with the moving parts in an intermediate position; v

FIGURE 4 is a view similarto FIGURE 3 showing the moving parts in another intermediate position;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary view, partially in section, of a portion of a modification of the container of FIG- URES 1-4;

FIGURE 6 is a view similar to FIGURE 1 showing a modification of the container of the invention with thepackaged material in an unpressurized condition;

FIGURE 7 is a view similar to FIGURE 6 showing the packaged material in a pressurized condition;

FIGURE 8 is an end view of the container of FIG- URE 6;

FIGURE 9 is a partial elevation view, partially in section, of a second modification of the container of the invention with the packaged material in an unpressurized condition;

FIGURE 10 is a view similar to FIGURE 9 showing the container contents in a pressurized condition; and

FIGURE 11 is a fragmentary view of a portion of the container of FIGURES 9, 10 with the moving parts in an intermediate position.

As generally illustrative of the invention, there is shown in FIGURES 1-4 a dispensing container designated generally by the letter C which incorporates one embodiment of the invention. As is Well known, the container C includes a tubular body 11 having an inner wall 12 and interior 13. A top end wall, designated generally by the numeral 14, is suitably seamed onto the upper end of the container C and is arranged to support a manually operated dispensing valve 16. The valve 16 is mounted in a grommet 17 of rubber or the like and has a central passage 18 communicating with a plurality of radial grooves 19 formed in the upper side of a head portion 21 on the valve 16. Material contained within the container C under pressure will be dispensed through the passages 19, 18 whenever the valve 16 is pushed inwardly or rocked to one side.

The bottom end of the container C is arranged to be closed by a bottom end wall 22 which may be similarly seamed onto the container body 11 as shown. The interior 13 of the container C is arranged to be filled with a product or material 23 suitable for pressure dispensing such as shaving cream, paint, toothpaste, cheese, peanut butter, etc.

In order to pressurize the material 23, a freely movable piston 24, formed of a suitable resilient material such as polyethylene or the like, is positioned within the container interior 13 as shown in FIGURES 1, 2. The piston 24 may be of any suitable shape and in the illustrated embodiment is substantially cup shaped having a shoulder 25 with a recessed, extending downwardly central portion 26. The piston 24 terminates in an annular, upwardly extending lip 27 adapted to fit smoothly within the container C in sliding engagement with the container inner wall 12. Thus, the packaged material 23 is arranged to be accommodated within the portion of the container interior 13 between the upper side of the piston 24 and the container top end wall 14.

In order to pressurize the material 23 in the container C by means of the piston 24, spring means such as a helical spring 28 is positioned between the lower side of the piston 24 and the container bottom end wall 22. As shown in FIGURE 1, the spring 28 preferably tapers upwardly being received within the underside of the piston 24 between the shoulder 25 and the piston central portion 26. In FIGURE 1, the piston 24 has been moved to a position whereby the spring 28 is compressed as shown with the packaged material 23 in an unpressurized condition.

As specifically illustrative of the invention, releasable locking means are connected to the piston 24 for locking the piston 24 to the container bottom end wall 22 when the piston 24 has moved the spring 28 into the compressed condition of FIGURE 1 to permit the material 23 to be introduced into the container interior 13 between the piston 24 and the container top wall 14. This releasable locking means is accessible from the exterior of the container C to permit the spring 28 to expand and move the piston 24 into pressurizing engagement with the material 23 for pressure dispensing of the material through the dispensing nozzle or valve 16.

More specifically, a central opening 31 is provided in the container bottom end wall 22. A locking member 32 is provided having a proximal end connected to the piston 24 and having a distal end adjacent the container bottom end wall 22 for movement into and out of the bottom end wall opening 31. Preferably, the locking member 32 is formed integrally with the piston 24 and of the same resilient material.

The locking member 32 is preferably provided with an axial recess 33 extending throughout the major portion of its length as shown having an open, outer end 34 and being arranged to receive a rod-like expansion member 36.

In the embodiment of FIGURES 1-4, the piston 24 of an unfilled container C is moved to the position of FIGURE 1 to compress the spring 28 with the distal end portion of the locking member 32 extending through the opening 31 in the container bottom end wall 22. The expansion member 36 is inserted into the locking member recess 33 to a position adjacent the opening 31 so as to be accessible exteriorly of the container. The expansion member 36 expands the resilient material of the locking member 32 into connecting engagement with the edge portion of the bottom end wall 22 along the opening 31. Thus, the container C may be easily filled with material 23 and since the piston 24 is locked to the end wall 22 with the spring 28 in the compressed position, the material 23 remains in an unpressurized condition.

When the material 23 is to be dispensed from the container C, the expansion member 36 is pushed into the recess 33 by suitable means such as a nail or the like. This shifting of the expansion member 36 permits the material of the locking member 32 adjacent the opening 31 to return to the relaxed condition disconnecting the locking member 32 from the bottom end wall 22 in the manner shown in FIGURE 3. The piston 24 is therefore released and the spring 28 permitted to expand and move the piston 24 into pressurizing engagement with the material 23 in the container C.

FIGURE 3 illustrates the return of the material of the locking member 32 to the unexpanded condition when the expansion member 36 has been pushed into the recess 33. FIGURE 4 illustrates the subsequent movement of the distal end of the locking member 32 out of the end wall opening 31 and the upward movement of the piston 24 in the direction of the arrow I.

Thus, the material 23 is pressurized and may be dispensed by movement of the valve 16 as described above. As the material 23 is dispensed from the container C, the spring 28 continues to expand until all of the material in the container has been dispensed.

FIGURE 5 shows a modification of the releasable locking means in the embodiment of FIGURES 1-4. As shown in FIGURE 5, wherein like numerals identify like parts, a rod-like expansion member 38 has been provided which is received within the axial recess 33 of the locking member 32 to expand the material of the locking member into connecting engagement with the container bottom end wall 22 as described above. However, in the embodiment of FIGURE 5, the expansion member 38 is provided with a head or cap 39 which is accessible exteriorly of the container to permit the expansion member 38 to be withdrawn in the direction of the arrow P from the locking member recess 33. Withdrawal of the expansion member 38 permits the expanded material of the locking member 32 to return to its unexpanded condition dis-connecting the locking member 32 from the bottom end wall 22 permitting the spring 28 to expand the piston 24 to move as described above.

In the embodiment of FIGURES 6-8 wherein like numerals have been used to identify like parts, the piston for the container, designated generally by the letter C, is of a different configuration from that of the previous embodiment. It being understood, however, that the configuration of the piston forms no part of this invention and any suitable configuration may be utilized within the scope of the invention. In FIGURE 6, the piston 41 is also substantially cup shaped in cross section having a skirt 42 engageable with the inner wall 12 of the container body 11 and a central portion 43. The locking member 44 in FIGURE 6 is preferably formed integrally with the piston 41 with its proximal end connected to the piston central portion 43 and is of rod-like shape being arranged for limited lateral movement as a result of the resilient material of which the piston 41 and locking member 44 are composed.

On the distal end of the locking member 44, an enlargement 46 is provided which is arranged to be accommodated within the enlarged portion 47, as shown by the broken lines in FIGURE 6, of akeyhole slot designated generally in FIGURE 8 by the numeral 48 in the con tainer bottom end wall 49. As is well known, the keyhole slot 48 includes a relatively narrow portion 51 opening into the enlarged portion 47 as shown best in FIG- URE 8. The piston is moved into the position of FIG- URE 6 by passing the enlargement 46 through the keyhole slot enlarged portion 47 as permitted by the limited lateral movement of the locking member 44 in one direction from the solid line to the broken line position of FIGURE 6. The locking member 44 is then swung in the other direction back into the solid line position whereupon the enlargement 46 enters the keyhole slot narrow portion 51 and engages the edge portion of the container bottom end wall 49 adjacent the keyhole slot 48. As previously described, the interior 13 of the container C is then filled with material 23 which is maintained in the unpressurized condition.

To pressurize the material 23 in the container C, the enlargement 46, which is accessible exteriorly of the container, is moved in the direction of the arrow S of FIG- URE 8 to permit the enlargement 46 to move through the keyhole slot enlarged portion 47 whereupon the spring 28 expands moving the piston 41 into pressurizing engagement with the material 23 for dispensing through the valve 16.

Referring now to FIGURES 9-11 wherein like numerals indicate like parts, another modification of the container of the invention is shown which is designated generally by the letter C". In container C", a piston 51 is provided which has a flat central panel 52 on the marginal edge of which is integrally formed an upwardly extending lip 53 arranged to engage the inner wall 12 of the container body 11. On the underside of the piston 51, a base member or plate 54 which may be formed of metal or the like is suitably secured by an adhesive or by similar means. Connected at their proximal ends to the base member 54 are a pair of elongated spring members 56, 57 preferably formed integrally with the base member 54 as shown. The spring members 56, 57 are arranged in substantially parallel, spaced apart relationship as shown.

The container C" has a bottom end wall 58 having a central opening 59 the edge portion of which is preferably flanged arcuately at 59a as shown. The distal ends of the spring members 56, 57 are each formed with laterally extending projections 61, 62 respectively extending outwardly in opposite directions to form shoulders 61a, 62a.

Prior to filling with the material 23, the piston 51 is moved downwardly and the distal ends of the spring members 56, 57 are inserted through the bottom end Wall opening 59 .and released so that the shoulders 61a, 62a engage the flange 59a on the opening 59 to retain the spring 28 in the compressed condition of FIGURE 9. When the material 23 is to be pressurized for use, the projections 61, 62, which are accessible exteriorly of the container C", are moved inwardly as shown in FIGURE 11 disconnecting the projections from the flange 59a and permitting the spring 28 to expand and withdraw the spring members 56, 57 through the opening 59. The expansion of spring 28 thus moves the piston 51 upwardly in pressurizing engagement with the material 23 within the container C" for dispensing through the dispensing valve associated with the container C.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. In a dispensing container of the type including a container having a top end wall and a bottom end wall, a dispensing nozzle in said container top end wall, a piston slidably positioned within the interior of said container in sealing relationship with the container inner wall and spring means in said container interior between said piston and said container bottom end wall movable by said piston into a compressed condition, the improvement which comprises, a locking member connected to said piston adjacent said spring means, means for releasably locking said locking member to said container bottom end wall when said spring means has been moved into said compressed condition by said piston thereby permitting a material in an unpressured state to be introduced into said container interior between said piston and said container top end wall, said locking means being releasable from the exterior of the container to permit said spring means to expand and move said piston into pressuring engagement with said material in the container interior for pressure dispensing of said material through said dispensing nozzle, said locking member is provided with a proximal end connected to said piston and a distal end adjacent said bottom end wall and wherein said releasable locking means includes an opening in said container bottom end wall for accommodating a portion of said elongated member adjacent its distal end and means for releasably connecting said locking member end portion to the edge portion of said bottom end wall adjacent said wall opening with said spring means in said compressed condition, said locking member including a pair of elongated spring members arranged in substantially parallel, spaced apart relationship, each of said spring members having a proximal end connected to said piston and a distal end adjacent said bottom end wall, a projection on each of said spring members adjacent said distal end extending laterally outwardly in opposite directions, said spring members being formed of flexible material to permit movement of said distal ends together for accommodation of the distal end portions through said bottom end wall opening, said spring members being arranged to return into said sub stantially parallel, spaced apart relationship with said projections positioned exteriorly of said container for connecting engagement with the edge portions of said bottom end wall adjacent said wall opening, said releasable connecting means being accessible from the exterior of said container to permit disconnection of said connecting means from said bottom end wall and release of said piston thereby permitting said spring means to expand and move said piston into said pressurizing engagement.

2. In a dispensing container of the type including a container having a top end wall and a bottom end wall, a dispensing nozzle in said container top end wall, a piston slidably positioned within the interior of said container in sealing relationship with the container inner wall and spring means in said container interior between said piston and said container bottom end wall movable by said piston into a compressed condition, the improvement which comprises, a locking member connected to said piston adjacent said spring means, means for releasably locking said locking member to said container bottom end wall when said spring means has been moved into said compressed condition by said piston thereby permitting a material in an unpressured state to be introduced into said container interior between said piston and said container top end wall, said locking means being releasable from the exterior of the container to permit said spring means to expand and move said piston into pressuring engagement with said material in the container interior for pressure dispensing of said material through said dispensing nozzle, said locking member is formed from resilient material and wherein said distal end portion is provided with an axially extending recess, an expansion member receivable within said axially extending recess for expanding said locking member distal end portion extending through said bottom end wall opening into connecting engagement with the edge portion of said bottom end wall adjacent said wall opening, said expansion member being accessible exteriorly of said container for axial movement in said recess to permit said expanded end portion to return to an unexpanded condition for disconnection of said elongated member distal end portion from said frictional engagement thereby permitting said spring means to expand and move said piston into said pressurizing engagement.

3. A dispensing container in accordance with claim 2 wherein said expansion member comprises a rod-like member arranged to be positioned in said axially extending recess for expanding the adjacent portion of said locking member distal end portion into said connecting engagement, said rod-like member being accessible exteriorly of said container through said recess for moving said rodlike member inwardly of said recess to permit said expanded end portion to return to an unexpanded condition for disconnection from said bottom end wall.

4. A dispensing container in accordance with claim 2 wherein said expansion member comprises a rod-like member arranged to be positioned in said axially extending recess for expanding the adjacent portion of said elongated member distal end portion into said connecting engagement, a head on said rod-like member, said head being accessible exteriorly of said container for withdrawing said rod-like member out of said recess to permit said expanded end portion to contract for said disconnection from said bottom end wall.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 545,803 9/1895 Klug 221227 X 995,769 6/ 1911 Coleman. 1,933,371 10/1933 Eastman 222-386 X 2,340,894 2/ 1944 Morrell 221227 X 2,809,774 10/1957 Kaye et a1 222--387 X 3,250,442 5/1966 Bell et al. 222386 X FOREIGN PATENTS 440,496 1/1936 Great Britain. 685,088 12/ 1952 Great Britain.

WALTER SOBIN, Primary Examiner. 

